JPH04101207A - Power controlling system for extension unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To turn on power supply always in normal power turning on order without imposing an operating burden on a user by constituting an extension unit so as to have a power supply sequence control function to supply operating power to a circuit in its own unit after confirming that a personal computer receives the operating power and is in an operatable state. CONSTITUTION:The extension unit 2 is connected to a personal computer PC main body 1. Then, when a voltage detection circuit 51 in the unit 2 receives +5V power supply from a PC side power circuit 20 as the operation acknowledge signal SD of the computer main body 1, it supplies a power enable signal P-EN to a unit side power circuit 52. When the unit side power circuit 52 receives the enable signal P-EN, it outputs stabilized internal operating power. Thus, the unit 2 outputs the operating power of its own unit to each circuit in the inside of its own unit for the first time after it receives the operation acknowledge signal SD. The power can be turned on always in the normal power turning-on order without imposing any operating burden on the user through such power turning-on sequence.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a power control system for an expansion unit to which a small personal computer, such as a laptop type, is connected.

(Prior Art) In recent years, various expansion units have been developed for expanding the functionality of small personal computers such as laptops.

Conventionally, this kind of expansion unit connects a personal computer to the expansion unit via a predetermined interface connection cable, and according to a predetermined power-on order)
The system was started up by turning on the power.

At this time, it is difficult for the user to understand the power-on order of the expansion unit and the personal computer connected to the same unit, and if the power-on order is incorrect, there is a risk of malfunction, circuit destruction, and other inconveniences. For example, if you turn on the power to the personal computer after turning on the power to the expansion unit, inappropriate data that does not ensure a normal state will be input to the personal computer, and the data will cause the personal computer to perform incorrect processing. This may cause inconvenience. Furthermore, if power is not supplied to the personal computer and power is supplied only to the expansion unit, the circuit may be destroyed due to the power being diverted to the interface circuit of the personal computer.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) As mentioned above, in the conventional system, it is difficult for the user to determine the power-on sequence for an expansion unit and a personal computer connected to the same unit, and if the power-on sequence is incorrect, malfunctions and hardware damage may occur. There was a risk that this would lead to other inconveniences.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and by clarifying the power-on order on the device side, the power supply of the expansion unit can always be turned on in the normal power-on order without placing an operational burden on the user. The purpose is to provide a control method.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a power control method for an expansion system that implements an interface mechanism that can avoid problems such as malfunctions and hardware damage even if the power is turned on in the wrong order.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means and Effects for Solving the Problems) The present invention supplies an operating power source to a personal computer connected to the expansion unit when the unit power switch is turned on. a personal computer power supply section; a detection section that receives a specific output signal from the personal computer and detects from the signal that the personal computer is in an operable state; and a detection signal from the detection section that detects the internal circuit of the own unit. A power supply unit for supplying operating power to the circuits within the own unit after confirming that the personal computer receives operating power and is in an operational state. It is configured with a sequence control function, which allows the power to be turned on in the normal power-on order without placing any operational burden on the user, thereby avoiding inconveniences such as malfunctions and hardware damage.

(Example) An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention.

In Figure 1, 1 is a laptop-type personal computer body (PC body) that can be powered by a battery.
2 is an expansion unit of the personal computer main body 1. 3 is the expansion bus connector C1l of the personal computer main body l when using the expansion unit 2.
The expansion unit 2 and the personal computer main body 1 are interface-connected to each other via the cart 3. Each bus driver interposed in the data transfer path of the interface card 3 is divided into two sources of operating power depending on its directionality, and the details will be described later with reference to FIG. 4 is expansion bus connector C2 of expansion unit 2
1 is an expansion board optionally connected to 1. Reference numeral 5 denotes a power input terminal of the personal computer main unit 1. Here, when the expansion unit 2 is not used, it is connected to the plug of the dedicated power adapter and the DC output power (+15V) of the power adapter is used for operation - the next power supply. Also, when using expansion unit 2, P of the same unit 2 is applied.
A DC power supply (+15 V) which is plug-in connected to the power supply output plug 6 for C and is generated within the same unit 2 is applied as a secondary power supply for operation.

10 to 43 and C'll to C14 are components of the personal computer main body l, respectively.
0 is a system bus, and 11 to 17 and 31 to 43 are components connected directly or indirectly to the system bus 10, respectively.

Among these components, 11 is a CPU that controls the entire system, and here the resume processing function (
It has a function that allows the program to continue running by restoring the state immediately before the power was turned off when the power is turned on, and a processing function that displays the connection status of the expansion unit when setting the resume mode. It has a processing function to extend the connector to the unit side (switch to an alternative connector). 12 is a system firmware ROM (BIO3-ROM) in which fixed programs etc. are stored.
Here, we will introduce the external device connection status display processing routine RT-A for displaying the connection status of the expansion unit when the power is turned on in the resume mode setting state, and the process to extend the connector to the expansion unit side when using the expansion unit. This includes a connector switching processing routine RT-B (switching to an alternative connector). 13 is RA that constitutes the main memory
M (SYSTEM-RAM), in which programs, data, etc. to be processed are stored. 14 is a backup R that serves as a data storage area to realize the resume function.
It is AM, and backup power is supplied when the power is cut off. A bus driver (BUS-DRV) 15 is interposed between the CPU bus 17 and the system bus IO, and transfers data between the buses. 16 is C
Each of the above memories (12, 13, 14) is under the control of PUII.
) memory controller (M-CNT
), and here, an address decoder (DEC) 181 that detects the specified address of the backup RAM 14 and outputs a chip select signal to the RAM 14, and a write protect of the backup RAM 14 that controls enable/disable of the decoder 181. Includes control input/output port (IOP) 1B2.

20 receives the DC power (+15V) from the power adapter or expansion unit 2 inputted to the power input terminal 5 as a negative power supply, and connects it to the internal power supply for various operations (here +12V).
v, -12v, -9v, +5v.

It is an intelligent power supply (PS) equipped with a power control CPU that generates -5v),
Here, the +5V power supply for internal operation is the operation confirmation signal (SD
) is sent to the expansion unit 2 via the interface card 3. Hereinafter, this intelligent power supply 20 will be referred to as a PC side power supply circuit. 21 is the power switch (SW) of the PC side power supply circuit 20, 22A, 22
B is a pair of main batteries (B-A, B-B) that can be installed and removed separately.

A printer 31 is interposed between the system bus IO and the printer connector C12, and is connected to the printer connector CI2, and sends and receives information to and from devices such as a printer (PRT) and an external floppy disk drive (FDD). Interface circuit (PRT interface)
It is. This printer interface circuit 31 is a printer (PRT) connected to the printer connector C12.
A printer port (PRT-PORT) 311 that sends and receives control signals and data to and from external devices such as an address decoder (DE) that detects the address of the port 311.
C) 312 Input/output port (Ilo-PORT) 31 for inputting information for controlling the printer port 311
3. An address decoder (DEC) 314 detects the address of the port 313, and controls the printer port 311 by receiving the control information received at the input/output port 313 and the chip select signal accompanying the address detection of the address decoder 312. The control circuit 315 and the like are included.

32A is system bus 10 and R5-232C connector C
13, R5-232C connector C1
This is the first R5-232C interface circuit that transmits and receives information between the serial input and output device connected to the R5-232C interface circuit. This R5-232C interface circuit 32A is
Serial input/output port (SIO) 3 that sends and receives data to and from the device connected to R5-232C connector C13
21 and a driver (DRV) 322 , an address decoder (DEC) 323 that detects the address of the serial input/output port 321 , an input/output port (DEC) 323 that receives information for controlling the serial input/output port 321
Ilo-PoRT) 324, an address decoder (DEC) 325 that detects the address of the port 324, receives the control information received from the input/output port 324 and the chip select signal accompanying the address detection of the address decoder 323, and outputs the serial It includes a control circuit 326 that controls the input/output port 321 and the like.

32B is system bus lO and R8-232C connector C
R5-232C connector C]
This is a second R3-232C interface circuit that sends and receives information to and from the serial input/output device connected to the R3-232C interface circuit. This R8-232C interface circuit 32B is also the same as the above-mentioned first R3-232C interface circuit 32.
It is composed of the same components as A.

Further, 33 is an interval timer (PIT; PrograIImable) that can be set by a program.
34 is a keyboard controller (K B C), 35 is a scan controller (SC), 3B is a keyboard (KB), 37 is a hard disk controller (HDC), 3g is a hard disk drive (HDD), 39 is a floppy disk controller (FDC) , 40 is a floppy disk drive (FDD), and 41 is a display controller (DISP).
-CNT), 42 is a video RAM (VRAM) to which backup power is supplied, 43 is a display unit (DI
SP). Note that here, a DMA controller (DirectM) that performs direct memory access control is used.
eIIlory Access Controller
) Interrupt controller (Program+mable
Interrupt Control Ier) Clock module (Real-TimeClock),
Components such as an additional RAM and a card slot for the RAM are omitted from illustration.

50 to 55.61.62A, 62B, and C2
1 to C24 are components of the expansion unit 2, and 50 is an expansion-side system bus connected to the system bus IO of the personal computer main body 1 via the interface skirt 3. 51 receives a +5V operation confirmation signal from the PC side power supply circuit 20 of the personal computer main body l via the interface card 3, and upon detection of the same signal, a power supply enable signal (P-
This is a voltage detection circuit (DET) that outputs a voltage (EN).

52 is a power supply for internal operation of the expansion unit 2 (here +1
2v, -12v, +5v.

-5V) and the primary power supply (+15V) of the personal computer main body 1, and is used for internal operation of the unit until it receives the power supply enable signal (P-EN) from the voltage detection circuit 51. Power supply (+12 V.

It has a power output control function that prohibits the output of 12v, +5v, -5v). Hereinafter, this power supply will be referred to as a unit-side power supply circuit, and its internal circuit configuration is shown in FIG. 5
3 is a power switch (SW) of the unit side power supply circuit 52.

Reference numeral 54 denotes an ID register connected to the expansion side system bus 50, in which equipment identification information (hereinafter referred to as unit ID information) unique to the expansion unit 2 is stored. 55 is an address decoder (
DEC).

C22, C23, and C24 are connectors provided on the expansion unit 2 corresponding to the connectors C12, C13, and C14 on the personal computer main body 1, respectively;
are printer connectors C23 and C24 which are substitutes for the connector C12 provided on the personal computer main body l.
are R3-232C connectors that are substitutes for the connectors C13 and C14 provided on the personal computer main body 1, respectively. Here, as shown in FIG. 9, when the expansion unit 2 is used, the personal computer main body 1 is docked to the expansion unit 2 on the rear side, and at that time, the connector CI2. C13 and C14 are parts.
Since the connectors C12, C13, and C14 of the personal computer main body 1 are provided on the back side of the personal computer main body 1, the connectors C12, C13, and C14 of the personal computer main body 1 are
is physically unusable. To avoid this inconvenience, when connecting (docking) the personal computer main body l to the expansion unit 2, connect the connectors C22°C23, C24 of the expansion unit 2 instead of the connectors C12, C13°CI4 of the personal computer main body 1. making it available. The connector switching control process at this time will be described later with reference to FIG.

61, 62A, and 62B are interface circuits provided corresponding to the expansion side connectors C22, C23, and C24, respectively, 61 is an expansion side printer interface circuit, and 82A, 62B are the first expansion side connectors.
゜Second R5-2B2C interface circuit.

The expansion-side printer interface circuit 61 is interposed between the expansion-side system bus 50 and the expansion-side printer connector C22, and serves as the expansion-side printer connector C2 instead of the printer connector C12 of the personal computer main body 1.
Sends and receives information to and from devices connected to 2. This printer interface circuit 61 includes a printer connector C.
A printer port (PRT) that sends and receives control signals and data to and from external equipment such as a printer (PRT) connected to the
RT-PORT) all, an address decoder (DEC) 812 that detects the address of the same port all, an input/output port (Ilo-PORT) 613 that inputs information for controlling the printer port 811, the same port 61
Address decoder (DEC) that performs address detection of 3.
614, a control circuit 615, etc., which receives control information received at the input/output port 813 and a chip select signal accompanying address detection by the address decoder 612, and controls the printer port all.

First expansion side R8-232C interface circuit 62
A is the expansion side system bus 50 and the expansion side R8-232C.
It is interposed between the connector C23 and transmits and receives information to and from a device connected to the extended R5-232C connector C23 instead of the R8-2B2C connector C13 of the personal computer main body 1. This first expansion side R5-232
The C interface circuit 62A is connected to the expansion side R5-232.
A serial input/output port (SIO) 621 and a driver (DRV) 822 that transmit and receive data with the device connected to the C connector C23, an address decoder (DE) that detects the address of the serial input/output port ro 21.
C) 823, an output port for receiving information for controlling the serial input/output capotro 21 (I10-P0R
T) 824, an address decoder (DEC) 625 that detects the address of the same port 624, and a control information received at the input/output port 824 and the address decoder 62
A control circuit 6 that controls the serial input/output captro 21 in response to a chip select signal accompanying the address detection in step 3;
26 mag.

Second expansion side R5-232C interface circuit 82
B is the expansion side system bus 50 and expansion side R8-232C.
It is interposed between the connector C24 and transmits and receives information to and from a device connected to the extended R5-232C connector C24 instead of the R5-232C connector C14 of the personal computer main body 1. This second expansion side R8-232
The C interface circuit 62B is also configured with the same components as the first extended R8-232C interface circuit 62A. The addresses of each input/output port (printer port 611, serial input/output capo 21) on the expansion unit 2 side are the same as the address of the doujin output port (printer port 311, serial input/output capo) 321) of the personal computer main body l. but,
Each interface circuit of expansion unit 2 61.62A
, the input/output port provided in 62B (l1O-PO
Address decoders (DEC) 614, 625, 825 of RT) 613, 624, 624 are connected to the interface circuit 3 of the personal computer main body 1.
1. Input/output ports (I) provided at 32A and 32B
lo-PORT) 313, 324, 324 address decoder (DEC) 314, 325, 3
25, and have different detection address values, and each has its own unique address detection function. Further, in each of the above buses 10, 17, and 50, A is an address bus, D is a data bus, and C is a control bus.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal circuit configuration of the interface card 3 mounted on the expansion bus connector C1l of the personal computer main body 1 when the expansion unit 2 is used.

This interface card 3 is a system bus (10, 5) between the personal computer main body l and the expansion unit 2.
0) A bus driver interposed in the transfer path from the personal computer main body 1 to the expansion unit 2 receives operating power (+5V) from the data receiving side expansion unit 2, and transfers data from the expansion unit 2 to the personal computer main body 1. The bus driver interposed in the data transfer path is powered by an operating power supply (
+5v).

That is, in FIG. 2, 301A, 302A, 30
3A.

304A is the operating power supply (+5
301A is a bus driver that transfers the address on the address bus A included in the system bus 10 of the personal computer main body 1 to the address bus A included in the system bus 50 of the expansion unit 2, and 302A is a bus driver that receives A bus driver 303A, 3 that transfers data on a data bus D also included in the system bus 10 to a data bus D included in the system bus 50.
04A is a bus driver that transfers control data on a control bus C included in the system bus 10 to a control bus C included in the system bus 50. 301B, 302B, 303B, and 304B are connected to the operating power supply (+) from the personal computer main body 1, respectively.
5V), and 301B is a bus driver that transfers the address on the address bus A included in the system bus 50 of the parts expansion unit 2 to the address bus A included in the system bus 10 of the personal computer main body l; 302B is a bus driver that transfers data on the data bus D included in the system bus 50 to the data bus D included in the system bus IO; 303B;
, 304B is a bus driver that transfers control data on the control bus C included in the system bus 50 to the control bus C included in the system bus 10. 305 is the above bus driver 3018 to 30
3A, 301B to 303B, and detects the data transfer state on the bus to enable each of the bus drivers 3018 to 303A, 301B to 303B.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal circuit configuration of the unit side power supply circuit 52. As shown in FIG.

In FIG. 3, 501 rectifies and smoothes commercial alternating current power (AC), and 501 rectifies and smoothes commercial alternating current power (AC) to provide direct current power (
+12v, -12v, +5v5v), and generates the primary power supply (+15v) of the personal computer main body 1,
This is a converter circuit that includes a rectifier and smoothing circuit. 502 is a DC power supply for internal operation (+
12 V.

-12v, +5v, -5v) is a constant voltage circuit that controls the stabilized output. 503 receives the power supply enable signal (P-EN) output from the voltage detection circuit 51,
This is a control circuit that controls the power output of the constant voltage circuit 502, and the voltage detection circuit 51 is connected to the PC side power supply circuit 20 of the personal computer main body 1 via the interface card 3.
By receiving the operation confirmation signal (SD) of +5V from the constant voltage circuit 502, the constant voltage circuit 502 is enabled, and
Operating power supply obtained in 02 (+12v, -12v, +5v, -
5V) is supplied to each internal circuit.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a power-on sequence when using the expansion unit 2 in the above embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a time chart of the same sequence. Here, expansion unit 2 is
Operation confirmation signal (SD
), and after confirming that the personal computer main body 1 is in an operable state, power for operation is supplied to each circuit within the unit. That is, the expansion unit 2 is
Only after receiving a +5v operation confirmation signal (SD) from the PC side power supply circuit 2o of the personal computer main body I via the interface card 3, will the operating power supply of the own unit (+12v, -12v, +5v) be applied.

5v) to each circuit inside its own unit.

At this time, on the expansion unit 2 side, the reset is canceled at the reset cancellation timing of the personal computer main body 1. Note that 11 in the figure indicates a reset period on the personal computer main body I side, and t2 indicates a reset period on the expansion unit 2 side.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation processing flow of the connector switching processing routine RT-H that is executed when the personal computer main body l is powered on, and FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation processing flow of an external device connection state display processing routine RT-A.

In the connector switching process shown in FIG.
When using the connector CI2. of the personal computer main body I. C13 and C14 are replaced with expansion side connectors C22, C23 and C24 provided in the expansion unit 2. That is, when the expansion unit 2 is connected to the personal computer main body 1, the connectors C12, C13, and C14 of the personal computer main body 1 are disabled (unusable state), and instead of this, the connector C22 on the expansion side of the expansion unit 2 is゜C2B and C24 are enabled! ! (usable state) and printer connector C12 and R8-232 of personal computer main body 1.
This avoids the inconvenience that makes the C connectors C13° and C14 physically difficult to use. In FIG. 6, upon power-on, the personal computer 1 executes the connector switching processing routine RT-B after a predetermined reset period, first accesses the ID register 54 in the expansion unit 2, and then Determine whether unit 2 is connected.

If it is determined that the expansion unit 2 is connected, the printer port all and the serial input/output port 3213 are connected to each input/output port 313, 324, 324 of the interface circuits 31, 32A, 32B.
Control information for prohibiting the supply of the chip select signal to the respective ports 311 and 321 is set.

321 is disabled, and instead, the printer port 611 and the serial input/output port 21 are connected to each input/output port 1313, 824, 624 of the interface circuit 61, 82A, 82B provided in the expansion unit 2.
, 621 to enable the operation of each port 611 , 621 , 621 . This allows the printer connectors CI2 and R3-23 of the personal computer main body l to
2C connectors C13 and C14 are in the circuit cutoff (operation disabled) state, and printer connectors C22 and R5-232C connectors C23 and C of expansion unit 2 are connected instead.
24 is in a circuit connected (operation enabled) state. At this time, ID information reading from the ID register 54 is performed at the read timing shown in FIG.

Further, in the external device connection state display process shown in FIG. 7, it is possible to display the state of whether or not the expansion unit 2 is connected even when the personal computer main body l is in the resume mode. That is, when the personal computer main body l is in the resume mode, when the power is turned on by turning on the power switch 21, it is possible to immediately continue executing the application program from the state immediately before the power was turned off. The operator cannot recognize whether the expansion unit 2 is connected or not.

Therefore, in this embodiment, when the power is turned on in the resume mode, the external device connection state display processing routine RT
- By executing A, ID register 5 in expansion unit 2
4, determines whether the expansion unit 2 is connected or not, and displays the connection status of the expansion unit 2 according to the determination result in a double frame in a specific display area of the display screen for a certain period of time.

FIG. 8 is a time chart showing the timing of reading ID information (ID fixed value) from the ID register 54. 8th
In the figure, the CPU II sends the address of the ID register 54 onto the address bus A, and the chip select signal (
C3) and outputs ID information (ID fixed value) onto data bus D at a timing according to IO read signal (IOR).

9(a) to (C) are perspective views showing the external configurations of the personal computer main body 1 and the expansion unit 2 in the above embodiment, respectively. Here, the personal computer main body 1 is connected to the expansion unit 2 in a case. (Dotsuking)
When the bus is connected via the interface card 3 mounted on the expansion bus connector C1l, the printer connector C12 and R5 of the personal computer main body l
-232C connectors C13 and C14 are physically difficult to use.

Here, the operation in one embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to the above-mentioned FIGS. 1 to 9.

When connecting the personal computer main body l to the expansion unit 2, the interface card 3 is mounted on the expansion bus connector C1l of the personal computer main body ■, and the expansion unit 2 is connected to the personal computer main body 1 via this interface card 3. . Also, at this time, the DC power supply (+15V) output terminal of the expansion unit 2 is plug-in connected to the power supply input terminal 5 of the personal computer main body 1. This connection state is shown in Figures 9(a) to (c).
).

The power-on sequence with the personal computer main unit 1 connected to the expansion unit 2 is shown in Figures 1 to 5.
This will be explained with reference to the figures.

With the personal computer main unit l connected to the expansion unit 2, turn off the power switch 5 of the personal computer 1.
3, the unit side power supply circuit 52
is the power supply for internal operation of expansion unit 2 (+12v, -1
2v, +5v, -5v), and the primary power supply (+15V) for the personal computer main body 1. At this time, the constant voltage circuit 502 of the unit side power supply circuit 52 has not yet received the power supply enable signal (P-EN) from the control circuit 503 and is in a disabled state, so the stabilized internal operation power supply (+12V , -12v, +5v-5■)
is not output yet.

The primary power (+15V) of the personal computer main body 1 outputted from the unit side power supply circuit 52 is inputted to the power input terminal 5 of the personal computer main body 1 via the PC power output plug 6, and is input to the PC side power supply circuit 20. Supplied.

At this time, if the power switch 21 of the personal computer main body 1 is turned on, the PC side power circuit 20
is the DC-secondary power input via the power input terminal 5 (
+15V) to a stabilized DC power supply for internal operation (+12V)
, -12v, -9v.

+5v, -5v).

The DC power (+
12 V, ~12v, -9v, +5v, -5v) is
The +5v power is supplied to each internal circuit, and a portion of the +5v power is further supplied to the interface card 3 via the expansion bus connector C1l.

The +5■ power from the PC side power supply circuit 20 supplied to this interface card 3 is supplied to each bus driver 301B, 302B, 3 forming a data transfer path from the expansion unit 2 to the personal computer I, as shown in FIG.
03B and 304B as operating power, and is also supplied to the expansion unit 2 via the interface card 3.
The voltage detection circuit 51 is supplied as an operation confirmation signal (SD) to the voltage detection circuit 51 inside.

As a result, the interface card 3 has bus drivers 301B and 302B that form a data transfer path from the expansion unit 2 to the personal computer I.

303B and 304B are +5 from the PC side power supply circuit 20
Each bus driver 301A, 302A, 303A, which receives V power and becomes operational, forms a data transfer path from the personal computer 1 to the expansion unit 2.
304A has not yet reached the operating state, and therefore the inconvenience of the power supply of the personal computer main body 1 in the power-on state being diverted to the expansion unit 2 side via the interface card 3 is avoided.

Further, when the voltage detection circuit 51 in the expansion unit 2 receives +5V power from the PC side power supply circuit 20 as an operation confirmation signal (SD) of the personal computer main body l, the voltage detection circuit 51 in the expansion unit 2 generates a power supply enable signal (P-EN ) is supplied to the unit side power supply circuit 52.

When the unit side power supply circuit 52 receives a power supply enable signal (P-EN) from the voltage detection circuit 51, the unit side power supply circuit 52 receives a stabilized internal operation power supply (+12V, -12V).

+5V, -5V). That is, the constant voltage circuit 502 in the unit side power supply circuit 52 shown in FIG. Power supply (+12v, -12v.

+5v, -5v). Internal operation power (+12v) output from this constant voltage circuit 502.

-12v, +5v, -5v) are supplied to each internal circuit.

In this way, the expansion unit 2 receives the +5V operation confirmation signal (SD) from the PC side power supply circuit 20 of the personal computer main body l via the interface card 3, and then receives the operating power supply (+12V) for the first time.
v, -12v, +5v.

-5V) to each circuit inside its own unit.

With such a power-on sequence, the power-on order is clarified on the device side, and the power can always be turned on in the normal power-on order without placing any operational burden on the user. Inconveniences such as malfunctions and hardware damage can be avoided.

Note that when the power switch 21 is in the off state while the DC-order power (+15V) is being supplied to the power supply circuit 20 of the personal computer main body 1, the charging process of the mounted main batteries 22A and 22B is not performed. It will be done.

Next, the connector replacement switching processing operation will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

As described above, when the personal computer main body l is connected (docked) to the expansion unit 2, the personal computer main body l is docked to the expansion unit 2 on the rear side, as shown in FIG.
12, C13, and C14 are personal computer main units.
Since the connectors C12, C13, and C14 of the personal computer main body 1 cannot be physically used during the above-mentioned connection (docking), the connectors C12, C13, and C14 of the personal computer main body 1 cannot be used. In order to avoid this inconvenience, when connecting (docking) the personal computer main body l to the expansion unit 2, the connector C12 of the personal computer main body l,
Connector C2 of expansion unit 2 instead of C13 and C14
2, C23, and C24 are enabled.

When both the personal computer main unit 1 and the expansion unit 2 become operational by the power-on sequence described above, the personal computer main unit 1 goes through the reset period (I2) shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, and is then stored in the ROM 12. The connector switching processing routine RT-B is executed to perform the connector replacement switching processing according to the procedure shown in FIG.

In this connector replacement switching process, the connectors C12, C13, and C14 of the personal computer main body l are replaced by the connectors C22, C23, and C23 of the expansion side provided in the expansion unit 2.
Replace with 24. That is, the main body of the personal computer
The connectors C12, C13, and C14 of the expansion unit 2 are disabled (unusable), and the expansion unit 2
Connectors C22, C23, and C24 on the expansion side of the computer are enabled (usable), and printer connectors C12 and R5-232 of the personal computer main body l are connected.
This avoids the inconvenience that makes C funecta C13°C14 physically difficult to use.

The personal computer main body 1 is powered on during the predetermined reset period (fifth
(see figure), the connector switching processing routine RT-B is executed, and first, the ID register 54 in the expansion unit 2 is accessed to determine whether or not the expansion unit 2 is connected (step 81 in FIG. 6).

In this case, it is determined whether the ID fixed value of the ID register 54 was read correctly or not, and when the ID fixed value was read correctly,
It is determined that the expansion unit 2 is connected.

Here, if it is determined that the expansion unit 2 is connected, a printer port 311 and a serial input/output port 321 are connected to each input/output port 313, 324, 324 of the interface circuits 31, 32A, 32B.
Control information is set to prohibit the supply of chip select signals to the control circuits 315 and 326 according to the control information.
, 326 respectively disable the corresponding printer port 311 and the serial input/output ports 321 and 321, and connect the printer connector C12 and R9-232.
The C connectors C13 and C14 are made unusable (Step S2 in Fig. 6).

Next, the interface circuit 61 provided in the expansion unit 2. B2A, 62B each input/output capotro 13
Control information for supplying chip select signals to the printer port 6111 and serial input/output ports 821 and 821 is set in 824 and 624, and according to the control information, the control circuits 815, 828 and 626 select the corresponding printer port 6111 and serial Input/output port 8
21, enable ff21 and connect the printer connectors C12 and R5 of the personal computer main body 1.
- Printer connector C22 of expansion unit 2 and R8-232C instead of 232C connector C13 and CI4
The connectors C23 and C24 are made available for use (step S3 in FIG. 6).

Furthermore, when the ID register 54 in the expansion unit 2 is accessed and it is determined that the expansion unit 2 is not connected (step S3 in FIG. 6), the interface circuits 31 and 32A provided in the personal computer main body 1 are
, 32B each input/output port 313 , 324 , 3
24, control information for supplying a chip select signal to the printer port 311 and the serial input/output ports 321, 321 is set, and the control circuit 315 is set according to the control information.
, 326 and 326 respectively correspond to printer ports 311 and serial input/output ports 321 and 321.
is enabled to enable the printer connector C12 and R8-232C:] connectors C13 and C14 of the personal computer main body 1 (step S4 in FIG. 6).

In this way, when the expansion unit 2 is connected to the personal computer main body 1,
Connectors 9 C12, C13, and C14 are disabled (unusable), and instead, expansion unit 2 connectors C22, C23, and C24 are enabled (available), and the expansion Connectors C22, C23°C24 of unit 2 replace connectors C12, C13, C14 of personal computer main body l,
As a result, the printer connector CI2 of the personal computer main body 1 and the R8-232C connectors C13 and C
The inconvenience that 14 becomes physically difficult to use can be avoided.

Next, the external device connection state display processing operation according to the external device connection state display processing routine RT-A will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

This external device connection status display process is executed following the connector switching process described above during the startup process when the personal computer main body 1 is powered on, and even when the personal computer main body 1 is in the resume mode, the expansion unit It is possible to display the status of connection of 2.

When the personal computer main body 1 is in the resume mode, when the power is turned on by turning on the power switch 21, it is possible to immediately continue executing the application program from the state immediately before the power was turned off. 2) The operator cannot recognize whether the device is connected or not. Therefore, in the present invention,
When the power is turned on in resume mode, the connection status of the expansion unit 2 is displayed for a certain period of time in a display format that can be distinguished from the information displayed when the system is started up by resume processing.
(encircled by a double frame) is displayed on the display screen of the display unit 43 for a certain period of time.

The personal computer main body 1 is powered on during the predetermined reset period (fifth
After executing the connector switching processing routine RT-B through the process (see figure), the external device connection status display processing routine RT-
Execute A. To execute this process, first expand unit 2
It is determined whether there is a connection or not (step 5ll in FIG. 7), and then it is determined whether the resume mode is set (steps S12 to S17 in FIG. 7).

Here, when it is recognized that it is connected to the expansion unit 2 and is in the resume mode, it first executes display memory storage processing (step 513 in FIG. 7).

This process begins by accessing the backup RAM write protection control input/output port (IOP) 1B2 provided in the memory controller 16.
Remove the write protection of M14 (that is, enable the address decoder 161 and remove the write protection from the backup RAM).
14, a chip select signal is output to the RAM 14 to enable writing to the RAM 14).

Next, the register contents of the display controller 41 are saved (saved) in the backup RAM 14, and the display controller 41
Set the mode for displaying the connection confirmation message in the display mode register in . Thereafter, information on the area on the video RAM 42 where the connection confirmation message is to be displayed is saved (saved) in the backup RAM 14.

Next, a process of displaying a connection confirmation message for a certain period of time is executed (step S14 in FIG. 7).

In this process, a connection confirmation message according to the display data stored in the ROM 12 is developed in the connection confirmation message display area secured on the video RAM 42 and displayed on the display screen of the display unit 43. At this time, the connection confirmation message is displayed in a display format that is surrounded by a double frame line and can be distinguished from the display information when starting up in the resume process, as shown in the display example associated with step S14 in Figure 7. It is displayed in a predetermined area on the display screen of the unit 43. Furthermore, at this time, the interval timer 33 is started in conjunction with the display of the connection confirmation message, and the display period of the connection confirmation message is monitored for a certain period of time in order to display the connection confirmation message for a certain period of time.

After displaying the connection confirmation message for a certain period of time, a process of restoring the display screen to the resume mode is executed (step S14 in FIG. 7).

This process is saved in the backup RAM 14 (
The display information that was saved (saved) is returned to the video RAM 42, and the register contents of the display controller 41 that were also saved (saved) to the backup RAM 14 are returned to the display controller 41.
, and put the backup RAM 14 in a write-protected state.

By displaying such a connection confirmation message, it is possible to recognize the connection state of the expansion unit 2 in the resume mode, distinguishing it from the restoration display information at the time of starting the resume mode.

In the start-up process upon power-on in the above-described embodiment, the external device connection status display process routine RT-A is executed after the connector switching process routine RT-B is executed, but this processing order is limited. It is not something that is done, and
The interface circuit, the number of alternative connectors, etc. are not limited to the above embodiments, and other configurations may be used.

[Effects of the Invention] As detailed above, according to the present invention, the expansion unit has
When the power switch of the unit is turned on, the personal computer power supply unit supplies the operating power to the personal computer connected to the unit, and the personal computer receives a specific output signal from the personal computer and outputs the personal computer from the same signal. A personal computer is equipped with a detection section that detects whether it is in an operable state, and an expansion unit power supply section that supplies operating power to the internal circuits of its own unit based on the detection signal from the detection section. The configuration has a power supply sequence control function that supplies operating power to the circuits within the own unit after confirming that the unit is ready for operation, ensuring a normal power supply at all times without placing any operational burden on the user. Power can be turned on in the order in which they are turned on, avoiding inconveniences such as malfunctions and hardware damage.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal circuit configuration of the interface card in the above embodiment, and Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the unit side power supply in the above embodiment. A block diagram showing the internal circuit configuration of the circuit, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the power-on sequence when the expansion unit 2 is used in the above embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a signal timing of the power-on sequence shown in FIG. 4 above. 6 is a flowchart showing the operational processing flow of the connector switching processing routine in the above embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operational processing flow of the external device connection state display processing routine in the above embodiment. Flowchart, FIG. 8 is a time chart showing the ID information (ID fixed value) read timing of the ID register in the above embodiment, and FIGS. 9(a) to (C) are the personal computer main body in the above embodiment, respectively. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of an expansion unit. l...Personal computer body, 2...Extension unit, 3...Interface card, 4...Extension board, 5...Power input terminal, B...Power output plug for PC, IO...・System bus, 11...CP
U, 12...System firmware ROM%13.
...RAM (SYSTEM-RAM) 14...Backup RAM, 15...Bus driver (BUS-
DRV), 1B...Memory controller (M-CNT
), 17...CPU/<S, 20...PC side power supply circuit (intelligent power supply; PS) 2
1...Power switch (SW) 22A, 22B
...Main battery (B-A, B-B), 3
1.61...Printer interface circuit (PRT)
interface), 32A. 32B, 62A, 62B...R5-232C
Interface circuit, 33...Interval timer (PIT.PrograIlla+able Interval
), 34-keyboard controller (KBC), 35...scan controller (SC)
, 311i... Keyboard (KB), 37... Hard disk controller (HDC) 38... Hard disk drive (HDD), 39... Floppy disk controller (FDC), 40... Floppy disk drive (FDD) , 41...Display controller (DISP-CNT), 42...Video RAM (VRAM), 43...Display unit (
DISP), 50... Expansion side system bus, 51.
... Voltage detection circuit (DET), 52 ... Unit side power supply circuit (intelligent power supply, ps), 5
3...Power switch (SW), 54...ID register, 55...Address decoder (DEC) 16
1...Address decoder (DEC) 162...
Backup RAM write protection control input/output ports (IOP) 301A, 302A, 303A
, 304A, 301B. 302B, 303B, 304B-- Bus driver 305... Control circuit, 311, 811... Printer port (PRT-PORT) 312, 61
2...Address decoder (DEC), 313
, 613-...I/O port (110-PORT),
314, 814...Address decoder (DEC
), 315, 615...control circuit, 321, 6
21...Serial input/output port (SIO), 3
22, 822...Dry/< (DRV), 32
3, 623...Address decoder (DEC)
, 324, 624...I/O port (110-PO
RT), 325.625...Address decoder (D
E C), 326, 626--control circuit, 50
L...Converter circuit, 502... Constant voltage circuit, 5
03...Control circuit, RT-A...External device connection status display processing routine, RT-B...Connector switching processing routine, SD...Operation confirmation signal, P-EN...Power enable signal, C12°C22...Printer connector, C13, C14, C23°C24...R3-2
32C connector, A... address bus, D... data bus, C... control bus. Applicant's representative Patent attorney Takehiko Suzue Figure 3 Figure 3 + OR Connector switching process Figure 9

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) In an expansion unit having a connection port to which a personal computer can be attached and detached, a power switch and a personal computer that supplies operating power to the personal computer connected to the connection port when the switch is turned on; a computer power supply unit; a detection unit that receives a specific output signal from the personal computer connected to the connection port and detects that the personal computer is receiving operating power and is in an operable state; and a detection signal from the detection unit. 1. A power supply control method for an expansion unit, comprising: a power supply section for the expansion unit that supplies operating power to an internal circuit of the own unit. (2) In an expansion system in which a personal computer is connected to the connection port of an expansion unit via an interface card, the interface card receives operating power from the expansion unit and receives signals from the personal computer. An expansion system comprising: a first driver that sends signals to an expansion unit; and a second driver that receives operating power from a personal computer and sends signals received from the expansion unit to the personal computer. power control method.